Buttoning-machine.



H. E. ENSLIN.

BUTTONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION men Aua.22.1911.

1 73,444. Patented July 23, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Fig". 1.

H. E. ENSLIN.

aunomwc MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22. 19H. 1 373,444.. Patented July 23,191&

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. E. ENSLIN.

BUTTONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED Auc.22. 1911.

Patented July 23, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

//v ve/vma W 5 waz H. E. ENSLIN.

BUTTONING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.22.|911.

1 73,444. Patented July 23, 1918.

4 SHEETS-$HEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. ENSLIN, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 UNITED SI-IOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY,

A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

BUTTONING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed August 22, 1917. Serial No. 187,659.

chines, and an object of the invention is to improve the efliciency of machines of this class and render them more readily adaptable to the conditions encountered in operating upon a wide variety of work. More particularly, an important object is to provide improvements especially adapted to be incorporated in machines of the general type illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 1,207,151, granted upon my application on December 5, 1916. In vari ous aspects, however, the invention is not restricted in respect to utility to the specific type of machine illustrated in said Letters Patent, and it should be understood that in many of its features the invention is of wide applicability to machines of different types.

The machine shown in said patent is provided with a plurality of forks to receive the buttons when the work is initially pre sented to the machine, and in the operation of the machine the buttons while they are positioned in the forks, are clamped by pressure applied oppositely to the top of the head and under the eye of each button to hold the buttons against lateral movement. While the buttons are thus clamped, the forks are withdrawn to leave the lower surfaces of the heads of the buttons clear, and then the buttoning operations are effected by members which force the material at the opposite sides of the respective buttonholes over the heads of the buttons and tuck it under the heads.

In the conditions encountered in operating upon a wide range of work it frequently happens that the eye of a button is not centrally disposed with respect to the button head; and in the operation of the machine upon a button of this character the H lamping pressure by which the button is held during the buttoning operation frequently tends to tip the button into an inclined position relatively to the path of movement of the buttoning members. As a consequence, one of the buttoning members may fail to earn 'the material far enough to tuck it under tiie lower edge of the button head, and the buttoning operation will fail with respect to that button. The same condition may result, moreover, from failure of perfect alinement between the opening in the button receiving fork and the clamping plunger which engages the head of the button, by reason of which the pressure of the plunger may be applied at one side of the center of the button head and thus cause the button to tip; or from the fact that the buttons are unevenly spaced on the button piece, which may cause adjacent forks to press laterally against the eyes of the buttons positioned therein in such manner as to tip the buttons and cause them to be clamped in inclined positions, such lateral pressure between the buttons and the forks also tending to spring the forks out of alinement with the plungers. These and other difficulties are very largely increased, and failure of the buttoning operation is therefore more likely to occur, in the operation of the machine upon buttons the heads of which are comparatively wide or flat, or both wide and flat, such, for example, as many styles of gaiter buttons.

In the type of machine shown in my prior patent, moreover, the buttoning members have movements of equal extent outwardly from the sides of the button clamping plunger to carry the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole to the opposite edges of the button head. In the operation of the machine upon buttons having comparatively wide heads it may result, in case the plunger fails to engage the head cen trally, for example, for any of the reasons above mentioned, that one of the buttoning members may fail to move far enough to carry the material to the edge of the button head: and in such case also the buttoning operation will fail with respect to that button.

An important object of this invention accordingly is to increase the etliciency of my prior machine in its operation upon work in which the heads of the buttons are comparatively wide or flat or in which the buttons are unevenly spaced or some of the buttons are imperfectly shaped. To this end, tlie'invention provides, as an important feature, novel means for positioning a but ton in such manner as to permit movement of the button in response to the action of thebuttoning means in its operation to dispo'sethe'm'aterial' adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button. illustrated embodiment of the invention includes novelbuttonpositioning means which permits-the button tobe centralized with re-- 7 0f the buttoning means by lateral movement of'the' spect' to the oppositeside portions button head inresponse to=the pressure of thei buttoning means, or permits the button to be tipped with respect to the buttoning mean'sby the action ofthe buttoning means at 'one 'sid'eorj the otherofthe button head. In: th'e constrtuttion shown, moreover, 1n

which clamping pressure is applied to hold the buttons during the Withdrawal of the" button receiving forks, the pressure on the head's of the buttons is relieved after the forks are withdrawn,}in order to permit the buttomng means to- CBDtItLlIZB lZlIG button or durmg t-he buttomng operation.

to :tip it WVitlr-thebutton thus free forlateral tipping movemenuthe linalaction of the but toningamean's will be to'dispose'the button inwsubstantially upright relation to said means; and in the case of buttons having comparatively edgew'ise relation'to the buttonhole, 'thus facilitating 'theentrance of the head into the buttonhole'without the necessity for the buttoning members to'move laterally as far as otherwise 'would be required, the button beingfin'ally tipped upright as both members engage under the head,

A-' further feature of the mvention, contributing to effective results particularly in a construction such that shown in which buttonin'g means-engages under the head of a button todispose the material ad acent to a buttonholein buttoned relation to the button, co'nsists in novel .means for positioning the button in such manner-as to permit it to berlifted as the buttoning means forces the. materialiunder the head, thus insuring thatrthe material shall be di'sposed' effec tually in buttoned'position' under the head.

In accordance-with another feature of the invention, the" buttoning means is so disposed' in' relation to I the button while the button is irf the initialwork receivin'g' n'ieans that it. tends to maintain the buttonin'its' correct position during the withdrawal of the receiving means and after the receiving means is witlidrawn. In the construction shown the buttoning members are moved to 7 early the. material adjacent to a button hole :partrally over the SIClQS 1 of the button a The in a novel construction ofbutton receiving wide heads, the buttoning means may first tip the button over into fork means through the-use of-which the buttoning meansis permitted to assume an eifec tive holding position'at the'sides of the button head while' the button is in the receiving means. A

Another 1 feature of the invention consists in novel means for discharging the work from'the machinei Since the buttons'are not clamped at the timeof the completion of" the buttoning operation, the tendency is for the buttoning members to'retain their hold of the buttonsafterthey have moved under the edges of the button heads. The inventionaccordingly provides means for forcing the -buttonsou't of the buttoning means, this operatioirin the construction shown being effectedby the action of the button head engaging plungers as the parts are returned to thelr starting )os1t10ns.

Still another feature of the invention, as 100 applied to a machine having a plurality of instrumentalities for operating-in spaced locations on a piece of work consists in novel means for controlling the spacingof the different instrumentalities. with this feature of the invention power operated mechanism is utilized to space the different instrumentalities, thus avoiding the fatigue which operators frequently experience -in eifecting the required adjust- 119 ments by the use of a treadle,

Other features of the invention reside in novel means for retaimnga buttonetl'ectu- V ally in the button receivlng means and for operating the retaining means-"to facilitate 115 the release of the'button from the receiving; means at the proper time, and in various details of construction andcombinations of" parts, all of which will now be described with referenceto-the accompanying drawings and 120 pointed out in the claims; I In the drawings: Figure 1 1s an angular perspective view ofthe' front portion of a, machine 'in ywhich theinvention'is embodied; V

Fig, 2 is a longitudinal vertical; section; Fig. 3 is' a'bottom plan view of one 'of the"=button-receiving forks, showing the norel meansfor retaining the bu'ttoi'r'in the In accordance Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing portionsv of the structure in disassembled relation and illustrating the manner in Which the button retaining means shown in Fig. 3 is controlled;

Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show in side elevation portions 01" one of the sets of instrumentalities for performing a buttoning operation, illustrating difl'erent relative post tions of the several cooperating instrumentalities in successive stages of the buttoning operation;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 5, with the parts in the same relative positions;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, with the parts in the same relative positions;

Fig. 13shows in pers )ective portions of the mechanism shown. in Fig. 9, with the parts in the same relative positions;

14 is a vertical section on the line l b-14; of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section showing in detail one of the button head engaging plungers and the associated parts;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the pl angers;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section illustrating the manner in which the pressure on the buttons is relieved, and

Figs. 18 and 19 show in perspective and insertion mechanism with which the machine is provided for controlling the spacing of the several sets of cooperating i nstru mcntalities.

The machine herein shown, except as to certain features and details which will be hereinafter specifically described, is sub-' stanti ally the same in its details of construction as the machine shown in United States Letters Patent No. 1,207,729, granted upon my application on December 12, 1916, the machine shown in said patent being a ma- 1 chine 013 the same general type as that disclosed in the earlier Patent No. 1,207,151, hereinbe'tore referred to. Only such teatures of the construction, therefore, as it is necesary to refer to for an understanding of the present invention will be described herein in detail, and -t'or further information with reference to the details of the const. .tion shown reference may be made to said prior patents.

The illustrative. machine is designed to button a plurality of buttons substantially simultaneously, and to this end is provided with a plurality-of sets of cooperating instrumentalities, each set being designed to perform a buttoning operation with respect to a button and a buttonholc. Three sets of such instrumentalities are herein shown, but it w ll be understood that in machines of this type the number of sets of such instrumentalities may be varied as desired, in

accordance with the number of the buttoning operations which it is desired to perform in one operation of the machine.

Each of the sets of instrumcntalities consists of a button-receiving fork 2, buttonhole lly positioning means comprising a sup porting member ll: and buttonhole spreaders (3 positioned above the fork 2, button holding or positioning" means comprising an anvil, S and a button head engaging plunger 10. and buttoning means comprising members 12 positioned on opposite sides oi the plunger 10 and operated to force the material at opposite sides of a. buttonhole over the sides of a button head and'lo tuck it. under the edges of the button head. In the operation of this type of machine, generally stated, the buttons a re positioned initially in the forks 2 with the forks projecting between the button piece and the lower sides of the button heads, and the buttonhole fly is positioned upon the supporting members 41 with the spreader blades 6 projectin; into the buttonholes. Then the machine is started the buttonlmle fly positioni ng means is movedv rcarwardly to cause the buttonholes to aline with the plunger-s 10, the several pairs oi spreader blades (3 being separated during this movement in order to open the buttonholes. The plungers 10 then move downward into the open buttonholes, and simultaneously the spreader blades 6 are moved downward out of the bnttonholes and these blades, together with the members 4, are moved baclnvard to inoperative positions. By continued downward movement of the plungers 10 these planners are carried into engagement with the tops ot the button heads, and the anvils 8 are moved upward into position to engage the button piece under the eyes of the l'mttons, the plunger-s and the anvils thus clamping" the buttons between them. Subsequently, in the operation of the illustrative type of machine. thebllttoning members 12 are operated to perlorn'i the buttoning operations bv forcingthe material at opposite sides of the bnttonholes over the heads of the but-' tons and tuckingit under the heads, the forks 52 beingwithdrawn to an inoperative position while the buttons are clamped by the members 8 and 10, in order to clear the lower sides of the buttons and leave room For the material adjacent to the buttonholw: to be disposed in buttoned position under the heads of the buttons.

Each 01 the -forks 2, in the construction shown, is carried on the Front end o'l a slide bar 1 1, the several bars 14 being connected at their rear ends to an operating slide 16 which is operated from a cam 18 on the main shaft 20 through connections including a link 22 and a lever 24 tulcrumed on a shaft 26 the lever carrying a roll 28 in engagement with the cam. The buttonhole fly supclosing and opening movements on a shell 44 )VlllCll is plvoted at 46 to the bar 30. Each arm 42 carries'at its outer end one of the up- 7 standing blades 6, these blades being positioned normally close to each other for en gagement 1n a'buttonhole by spring means arranged to operate upon'the arms '42and L not shown herein in detail, During the backward movement of the bars'30 to carry the buttonholes finto alinementiwith the plungers 10 the arms 42 ,are forced apart by sliding engagement with pins 48 on the bars '14, these pins being normally positioned in slots 50 formed in'the adjacent faces of the arms 42." This causes theblades 6 to open the; buttonholes and to hold them open for the reception of, the plunger-s, 10. In order: 'to withdraw the spreader blades 6 from the buttonholes, the shells 44 areiswung about their pivots 46'by engagement of the rear end portions of the shells with inclined faces 4 52 on the bars 14 during continued backward movement of the bars ,30 relatively to the bars 14 V Each of the plungers 10 is slidably mounted in a sleeve 54 which is secured in a holder 56 by means of anuti58. The several hold ers 56 are mounted for movement with a vertically reclprocatmg head 60 which s mounted n guideways on the machine. frame and is operated to lower and raise the hold w ers56 by means of a bell crank'fulcrumed on a shaft 62, this bell crankhaving'tvvo for; wardly extending arms 64 connected'respectively to opposite ends of the head 60, and a rearwardly extending arm 66 which carries V a roll 68 in engagement with a cam 70. In

order to prevent relative movement between the plunger-s 10 and the sleeves 54 when the holders 56 are lowered to carry the plungers into engagement with the buttons, and thus to cause pressure to be firmlyapplied on the tops of the button heads, the machine is provided with a strap 72 arranged to overlie the upper ends of the several plungers'and to move downwardly in unison wlth the o T holders56 The strap 72 is secured to the 60' forward ends of a pair of arms 74 which comprise a portion of a bell crank fulcrumed on a shaft 7 6 on the movable head 60 and having a rearwardly extending arm 78. Springs 7 9 connected at the r opposlte ends 6 56" respectively tothe arms74and to'hooks on transverse bar 98.

the head 60 tend to pull the strap 72 down wardandjthus to-hold'it in position to preventrelative movement between the plunget-s10 and'the holders 56. The arm 78 has a pin and slot connection with the forwardly extending arm 80 of a second bell crank which is fulcrum'ed on the shaft '62, the rearwardly extending arm 82 of this bell crank carrying a roll 84 which is in position to be engaged during a portion of the cycle of operationsof the machine by an operating cam in the cycle of operati'onsof the machine the strap 72* is thus lifted from the" upper ends of the plungers 10 against the tension ofthe springs-'79 in order to relieve theclamping pressureon the buttons. 7

In orderto 'nsure'that the clamping pressure shall be'applied to the heads. of all the buttons notwithstanding'any variations which there may'beinthe height of the button heads, yielding comiectionsare afo fordedbetween the strap 72 and the several plun'ge'rs 10 through theprovision of pins 88 mounted in'caps' 90 secured bymeans of set vscrews to theupwardly extending shank portions of the plungers 10, the pins 88 being upheld by means of springs 94" mounted in sockets therein and engaging the upper endsof the plungers 10. The clamping pressure upon thetops of all the buttons is "thus a yielding one,"through the provision, of both the springs j79 and the springs.94,gand"through the provision for relative yield of the several pins 88 effective pressure upon the heads of all the buttons is insured. '7 a 86 on the cam shaft 20. At a certain stage The anvils 8 are adj ustably mounted on the end portions of forwardly extending bars96 which 'are'detachably pivoted on a The operating means for-raising and lowering the anvils comprises a yoke 10O' fulcrumed on a shaft 102; this yoke'carrying a cross bar 104 in which is adjustably mounted a bar 106 which underlies the several bars 96 intermediate between their opposite ends. The yoke 100" is raisedandlowered by means of a toggle coniprisinglinks'108 and 110, the link 108 being connected to thelyokeand the link 110 fixed on a rock shaft 112 to which is secured anarm 114' 1); this arm being connectedby a rod 116 to'anarm 118(Fig. 2), which carries a roll 120 in engagement with a cam 122 on the cam shaft 20. Upon movement of the rod 116in the direction to straighten the toggle, the yoke 100 is lifted to swing the several bars 96 intopo'sition to cause the anvils 8 to engage the button piece under theeyes of the buttons. v

In order to insure that the buttons in the forks 2 shall be aline'd with the plungers 10 at the time when the buttons are clamped between the plungers 10 and the anvils 8,

the machine is provided with a gripperfor mounted at 131 on the bar 126.

engaging the button piece, comprising an upper jaw 1% carried at the front end Off a slidable bar 126 and a lower jaw 128 pivoted at 1.250 on an arm 12-32 which is pivotally Between the jaw 128 and the arm 132 is a spring 136 through the provision of which the clamp ing pressure of the jaw 1.28 on the button piece is a yielding one. The bar 126 is slidably supported on a fixed-portion of the machine beneath the bar 1 L of the central set of operating instrlunentalities. Conveniently the gripper is arranged to be moved in unison with the bacl-nvard movement of 15the buttonhole :tiy positioning means, and

to this end the bar 126 is connected by means ott a rod 138 to the lever 36 by which the bars 30 are operated. In order to cause the gripper to be closed upon the stock by the backward movement of the bar 126, the

arm 132 is provided with a depending projcction 1 16 which rests upon the central anvil bar 96 and during the backward movement of the bar 126 engages a cam block 112 on the anvil bar. During the first part ot the backward movement of the ba r 126 the arm 132 is thus ttorced upwardtv by the cam block M2 to cause the jaw 128 to close upon the stock and iircoiipcration with the 301 21 to grip it yieldingly, and during the continued backward movement of the gripper the button piece is drawn bacle \vardly to insure that the buttons shall be positioned at the inner ends of the openings 85Lin the forks.

Each of the holders 56 carries a pair of buttoning members or tuckers 12 hercinbetore referred to,these two members being positioned on opposite sides of the plunger 10 for engagement with the material at opposite sides ot'a buttonhole at the edges of the buttonhole. The two members 12 are pivoted on plates 116 secured to the holder and are held in yielding ei'igagement with v the plunger 10 by means ot a spring 148, the

opposite end portions of which bear upon the respective members. Each buttoning member or tucker is provided with an inturued end portion 150, the inner edge oi.

505whieh is curved in substantial conformity to thecurvc ot the head of a button and in the buttoning operation is arranged to slide under the head of the button to tuck the stock into buttoned position under the head.

IEach oi the members is also provided with a spur 152 for engagement with the edge binding stitches of the buttonhole, in order to insure that the member shall remain in effective engagement with the material at the edges of the buttonholo during the buttoning operation. Each buttoning mci'nber has also an inwardly extending projection 15; for engagement in slots 156 and 158 formed in the adjacent side of the plunger 10, these slots being separated by a cam portion 160 of the plunger. Normally the projections 15% are seated in the slots 156 with the lower ends of the buttoning members raised above the lower end of the plunger 10, as shown in Fig. 2. To perform the bnttoning operation the buttoning members are moved downward by downward movement of the holder 56 relatively to the plun ger 10, and in this downward movement of the buttoning members the projections 154; are engaged by the cam portions 160 of the plunger to cause the members to be forced outwardly and thus to carr Y the material at the opposite sides of the bnttonhole toward the sides of the button head during the downward movement of the members, the spurs 152 at this time maintaining an effective hold upon the inner edges of the buttonhole. During the continued downward movement of the buttoning members the material is carried over the sides of the head of the button, and finally the projections 15 1 are forced into the slots 158 by the action of the spring 1 18 to cause the lower end portions of the bnttoning members to move inward under the head of the button and tuck the material into buttoned position, as shown in Fig. 1 1.

In order to provide "for adjustment of the several sets of operating instrumentalities for operating upon differently spaced buttons and buttonholes, the several sets, with the exception of the central set, are arranged for simultaneous lateral adjusting movements. To this end the bars 14, 30 and 96 of each set, with the exception of the central set, are mounted for simultaneous late al movement through the provision of means substantially as shown and described in the prior Patent No. 1,207,729. The adjusting mechanism of the several sets, as fully described in said prior patent, comprises a series oi links 162 pivotally connected to a lever 164 which has a pin and slot connection with a sliding controller member 166. The controller member 166 is also connected with the corresponding holders 56 which carry the plungers 1 0 and the bnttoning members, as described in said prior patent. The controller member 166 is operated by a bell crank 16S 'tulcrumed on the frame of the machine at 170 and provided with a segmental gear 172 which engages a companion gear carried by an arm 17 1 of another bell crank which is 'l'ulcrumed at 176, the rearwardly extending arm 178 of this bell crank being connectedto an operating rod 180. Adjusting movement of the several movable sets of instrumentalities is thus effected by lengthwise movement of the rod 180 in one direction or the other to increase or diminish respectively the spaces between the several sets to correspond to differences in the spacing of the buttons and the buttonholes.

In'order to relieve the operator of unnecessaryfatigue and to facilitate the adjustments above described, the machine is provided with power means for operating the rod 180. To this end two friction clutch disks 182 (Figs. 18 and 19), arranged to be driven by. belts respectively in opposite directions, are mounted loosely on a shaft 184 supported for lengthwise sliding movement in bearings in a bracket 186 secured inany convenient location underneath the head portion of the machine. Secured on the shaft .184 between the disks 182 is a cooperating clutch. disk 188. At. one end the shaft 184 carries a crank disk 190 to which the vrod 180, is connected at its lower end, the disk 190 being provided with lugs 192 arranged to engage a portion of the bracket 186 in order to limit turning move-. ment of the shaft 184 to substantially a half revolution. Lengthwise movement is imparted to the shaft 184 by means of a bell crank 194 pivoted on the bracket 186, a,

downwardly. extending arm of this bell crank havmg an operating COIHIQCUOD with the shaft 184, and the other arm of the belLcrank being connected;to a treadle rod I 196 operated by a treadle 198.- During the operation of the machine the operator rests one foot upon the treadle 198, and when adjustment'of the spacing of the several sets of instrumentalities is necessary, moves the treadle in one direction or the other, depending upon whether the distances between the sets are to be increased or diminished. This causes the clutch disk 188 to engage one orthe other ofthe disks 18,2 and receive operative movement to force. the rod 180 in the required direction, the extent of the movement being readily under the control of the operator. It will be understood that the different sets are retained'in any position to which they may be adjusted through the normal friction betweenlthe various parts. In, case the treadle 198 should be accidentally operated in such manner as to hold ;the clutch disk 188 too long in engagement with one of the disks 182, one or the other of the lugs 192 will engage the bracket 186. to, limit the turning movement of the shaft 184and thus cause, a slip between the cooperating clutch disks and avoid carryingthe sets of instrumentalities too far in such manner as to strain any portion of the machinef Eachof the. button receiving forks 2, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, is provided around its button receiving slot with a comparatively narrowupraised projection 200 which engages under the head of the button and lifts'thehead above the plane ofthe upper surfaceof portions of the fork which extend beyond the sides of the button, thisprojection being sufficiently. narrow -to prevent it' from extending materially beyond the side edges of 'the button head. This construc-.

tons shall be retained in the button receiving forks 2 when the work is presented to the machine, and particularly to prevent them from slipping out of the forks as the operator positions the buttonhole fly upon the supports 4, the two end forks .of the series are each provided with a finger or catch 202 (Fig. 3) pivoted on a pin 204 on the lower side of the fork and shaped to engage the eye of the button and retain. it in the fork. The rear end'portion of the finger 202 is arranged to engage a flange. 206. on the fork to limit the movement of the finger.

Pivoted also .on the pin 204 is a controlling member 208 which is arranged to engage a flange 210 on the opposite side of the fork, and between the member 208 and the rear end portion of the finger 202is a spring 212 which tends to hold the front end of the.

finger 202 in button retaining position while permitting the eye of the. button readily to slip by the finger when the fork is with drawn. In order to insure that the, buttons;

shall be retained in the forks when the parts of the machine are in starting position and during the movement of the buttonhole fly to position it upon the supports 4, means is provided for operating the controlling member 208 to increase the tension of the spring 212. For this purpose the member 208 carries a pin 214 which projects through a slot in the bar 14 in position to be engaged by a cam surface216 onone of the shells 44 which, in the normal relation ofthe parts,

is positioned directly above the pin 214.

The member 208 is thus held normally in a.

position farther to the left than indicated in Fig. 3, causing the tension of the spring 212 to be increased for holding the finger 202 in button retainingposition, Vhen the shells. 44 are withdrawnby the backward movement of the bars 30, the pins 214 are positioned upon the. supports 4 with the spreader blades 6 projecting through the buttonholes, as. shown in Fig. 5. The machine is then started by the actuation of the usual clutch.

During the first part of.the operation of the machine the bars 30 are, drawn back-,- wardly, carrying the buttonhole. fly into position to cause the buttonholes to lalinewith the respective plungers 10. During this movement the spreader blades 6 are forced apart by the wedging action of the pins 48 upon the arms 12. Simultaneously also the bar 126 is drawn backwardly, causing the gripper jaws to seize the button piece. The relative positions of the parts at the end of this stage of the cycle of operations are shown in Figs. 6 and 12.

The head 00 and the strap 72 are next lowered, the strap being held by the springs 7 9 in operative relation to the plungers 10, this movement carrying the plungers 10 and the buttoning members 12 downwardly and causing the plungers to enter the buttonholes which are held open by the spreader blades 6. After the plungers have entered the buttonholes, Further baclnvard movement of the bars 30 causes the spreaders 6 to be swung downwardly out of the buttonholes by reason of the engagement of the shells 14: with the inclines 52 on the bars 14., and the spreaders 6 and the buttonhole fly supports 4 are then drawn] baele ward away from the buttonholes, as shown in Fig. 7. Simultaneously movement is imparted to the gripper to insure the positioning of the buttons at the inner ends oi the openings in the fork. By the continued downward movement of the head (it) and the strap 72 the plunger-s 10 are carried into engagement with the heads of the buttons, the spring pins 88 yielding as required to permit all the plungers to engage the button heads with effective pressure; and during the latter portion of the downward movement of the plungers the anvils 8 are moved upward into position to engage the button piece and to cause the several buttons to be clamped between the plungers 10 and the anvils 8 as shown in Fig. 8, the supports 41: being still farther withdrawn to their inoperative positions.

At this stage in the cycle of operations downward movement of the strap 72 ceases by reason of the engagement of the plungers 10 with the buttons, while continued downward movement of the head (30 and the holders 56 relatively to the plungers 10 causes the buttoning members 12 to push the buttonhole fly toward the heads of the buttons. As the buttoning members engage the buttonhole fly, the spurs 152 enter the buttonholes at opposite sides of the plungers 10 in engagement with the edge binding stitches, and when the projections 154 on the buttoning members engage the cam portions 160 of the plunger-s, the buttoning members are separated to carry the material at the edges of the buttonholes outward toward the sides of the button heads during the movement of the material downward over the heads. When the lower end portions of the buttoning members have arrived substantially at the opposite sides of the button heads, as indicated in Fig. 9. downward movement of the head (it), and consequently ot' the buttoning members, ceases. The movement of the buttoning members to permit them to engage the huttons thus substantially at the sides of the heads and near the lower edges of the heads is permitted by reason of the fact that the buttons are supported by the projections 200 above the plane of the side portions of the forks, thereby atl'ording sullioient space between the lower ends of the buttoning members and the forks for the thiclmess ot the buttonhole fly.

\Vhile the buttoning members are positioncd at opposite sides oil. the button heads as shown in Fig. 9, and thus tend to hold the buttons against lateral movement, the :l'orks 2 are drawn backwardly from between the Surlace of the button piec: and the lower Sides of the button heads. In the construction shown the clamping pressure of the plungers 10 and the anvils 8 upon the buttons is also maintained as the forks start to move biu'zlnvardly, thus further insuring against any displacement of the buttons out of alinement with the plungers 10 and the buttoning means. \Vhen the forks have moved to such a position that there is no :tur ther tendency to displace the lulttons, the strap 72 is lifted by means oil its operating cam 86, as shown in Fig. 17, thus causing the plungers 10 to release their pressure upon the button heads, the plungers, however, continuing to rest upon the button heads in position to serve as guides for the buttoning members. After the clamping pressure on the buttons is thus relieved, the button heads are free for lateral movement, and in case any of the buttons have not been positioned in correct alinement with the plunger-s, the buttoning members at the sides of the button heads are then rendered ell'cctive to centralize the buttons with respect to the plungers and the buttoning means. lVhile the buttons are still supported by the anvils 8 and are free to tip or to move laterally, :lurther downward movement is imparted to the buttoning members 12 by the operation of the head 60, the members thus forcing the material at the sides of the buttonholes farther downward, and as the projections 151 enter the slots 158 the lower end portions of the members are forced inwardly under the heads of the buttons by the action of the springs 118, as shown in Figs. 10 and 14, thus insuring that the material at; the sides of the buttonholes shall be tucked into buttoned position under the heads of the buttons. In case, for any of the reasons herein before mentoned, any of the buttons may have been clamped between the plnngers 10 and the anvils S in inclined positions, the buttoning members, after the pressure of the plunger-s 10 is relieved, are rendered effective by engagement with the sides and under the edges of the buttons during their final downward movement to tip the buttons to an upright position with respect to the buttoning means and thus to insure that the material at both sides of the buttonholes shall be effectively buttoned. In the case of buttons with unusually wide heads, moreover, the buttons may first be tipped into edgewise relation to the buttonholes by relatively greater efi'ective pressure of one of the buttoning members on one side portion of the button, the entrance ofthe button into the buttonhole being thus facilitated, after which the button is tipped to an up right position in symmetrical relation to both buttoning members. Since there is no substantial. pressure upon the tops of the buttons at the time of the .final downward movement of the buttoning members, the buttons are .free to be lifted when these members snap under the button heads, as indicated in Fig. 14, this provision for lit'ting of the buttons serving as additional insur ance that the sides of the button heads shall clear the edges of the buttonholes and that the material at the sides of the buttonholes shall be tucked securely under the button heads.

Upon the completion of the buttoning operation the tendency of the spring held buttoningmembers 12 is to retain the buttons in the position shown in Fig. 14. During the returnof the parts to starting position, however, the plungers 10 are again carried into operative relation to the strap 72, the upward movement of which is limited by a stop 218. During the continued upward movement of the head (30 after the movement of the plungers 10 is stopped in-this manner, the buttoning members 12 are pulled upwardly away from the buttons and the buttons are thus discharged from the. machine by the'action of the plungers 10 on the heads.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A buttoning machine having, incombination, buttoning means movable in en-' gagement with the material adjacent to a buttonhole to force said material over the head of abutton, and means for positioning the button for the buttoning operation, said button positioning means being organized to permit the button to be tipped by theaction of the buttoning means.

2. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning members arranged to engage the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism for operating said members to cause them to force the material at the opposite sides of the buttonhole over the head of a button, and means for positioning the button for the buttoning operation, said button positioning means being organized to permit the button-to tip in either direction in response to the pressure of said members.

3. A buttoning machine having,.in com bination, buttoning means arranged to engage the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism for moving said buttoning means over the' sides of the head of a button, and means for positioning the button for the buttoning operation, said button positioning means being organized to permit the button to be tipped by the action of the buttoning means when the buttoning means is positioned substantially at the sides ofthe button head. 7

-l. A buttoning machine having, in combination, means for engaging a buttonhole fly adjacent to a buttonhole, means for positioning a button, and mechanism for relatively moving said buttonhole fly engagingmeans and button positioningmeans to cause said fly engagingmeans to forcethematerial at opposite sides of the buttonhole overthe button head and to engage under opposite sides of the head to dispose said material inbuttoned position, said button positioning means being organized to permit the but ton head to be moved laterally by the action or the buttonhole fly engaging means.

5. A buttoning machine having, in combi-. nation, buttoningmeans arranged to engage the materialat opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism for moving said buttoning means over the sides and undertheiedges of the head of a, button to dispose the material button to be moved laterally by the action of said buttoning means.

7 7. A buttoning machine having, in combi-' nation, buttoning means movable in engagement with the material at opposite edgesof a buttonhole to force the material over the head of a button at opposite sides of the head, and means for positioning the button for the buttoning operation, said button.

positioning means being organized to permit the button head to move laterally in either direction in response to pressure of the buttoning means at the opposite sides of the head. 7 r Y e r 8. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means-movable in engagement with the material at opposite edges of a buttonhole to dispose said material in buttoned relation to a button, and means for positioning the button in such manner as to permit the button to be centralized relatively to the buttoning means by the action of said buttoning means.

9. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttonhole fly engaging means, buttoupositioning means, and mechanism for eflecting relative movement of said means to cause the buttonhole fly engaging means to force the material adjacent to a buttonholeover the head of a button and to move under the head to dispose said material in buttoned position, said button positioning means being constructed and arranged to support the button by engagement with the butt-onpiece under the eye of the button in such manner as to permit the button to be lifted by the action of the buttonhole fly. ongaging means as said means moves under the button head.

10. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of button piece about a button to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole over the head of the button and movable also to dispose the material under the head, and means for supporting the button in such manner as to leave the button free to be lifted by the buttoning means.

11. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means comprising opposed members movable apart and downwardly to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole over the head of a button and movable toward each other under the button head to dispose the material in buttoned relation to the button, and means for supporting the button in such manner as to permit the button to be lifted by said. members as they move under the button head.

.12. A buttoning machine having, in com- 1 bination, buttoning means comprising opposed members movable toward each other under the edges of a button head at opposite sides of the button to dispose the material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned rela tion to the button, and means for supporting the button in such manner as to permit the button to be lifted by said members.

13. A buttoning machine having, in combination,.means for engaging a buttonhole fly adjacent to a buttonhole. means for positioning a button, and mechanism for relatively movingsaid buttonhole fly engaging means and said button positioning means to perform a butloning operation, said button positioning mcansbeingr organized to permit the button to be tipped into edgewise relation to the buttonhole by the action of said buttonhole fly engaging means.

14. A huttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means arranged to engage the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism l'or operating said buttoning means to cause said means to force said material over the head of a button, and

means for positioning the button for the but toning operation, said button positioning means being organized to permit the button to be tlpped into edgewise relation to the buttonhole by the action of said buttoning 15. A buttoning machine having, in com blnation, buttomng means movable over the by the pressure of said means on opposite sides of the head.

16. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means having a determined range of movement to force the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole over the head of a button and to tuck the material under the edges of the button head, and means for positioning a button in such manner as to permit the button to be tipped, to an upright position relatively to the buttouing means by the pressure of said means at opposite sides of the head to insure tuckin the material under the head at both sic es.

17. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning members movable in engagement with the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole to force the material over the head of a button and then toward each other under the edges of the button head, and means for positioning the button in such manner as to permit the button to he lifted by said members as they move under the button head.

18. A buttoning machine having, in com bination, buttoning members for engaging the material at opposite sides ofa buttonhole, spring means tending to move said members toward each other, means for operating said members to cause them to carry the material outwardly and downwardly over the sides of the head of a button and then to permit them to move under the but ton head in response tothe action of said spring means, and means for positioning a button in such manner as to permit it tobe lifted when said members move under the head.

19. A butttming machine having, in comhination. buttoning means movable over the head of a button 'at opposite sides of the head and into position to engage under opposite sides of the head to force the material buttoni'ng "operation.

atoppositejsides of a buttonhole over the head and the button, and means for positioning a button in su'cliunanne'r as to permit it to be i tipp d relatively to" the buttoning meansby the passe-e ofsaid button'ingmeans at opposits sides of the head and t'o'be lifted by the engagement of said means under the head. I e

20. A buttoning' machine having, in combination, buttoning means arranged to engage the manslmeans" for supporting a button by engage ment with the button piece under thefeye'of the batten while leaving, the button {reefer lateral moi' ement of the b'utton head, and mechanism for effecting relative movement of said buttoning means button support ing means to perform the buttoning opr ti m. v. a

21. A teaching machine having, in com- Binatien, butt-oiling means nievabl'e in ngagement With the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole to dispose sa i buttoned relation to a button, and means'foi" supporting the buttbit'by engagement With the button piece under the: eye of the button vvhile'leavi ng the button free to tip in the 22'. A buttoning' machine having, in combination, bueioinag -inember's movable to' force the material adjacent'to buttonhol'e o'v'er' opposite sides of the head". of a blltbOIl, aacrimea-ns for supporting the button by engage'me'nt i ith the button piece under the eye of the button in such manner as tofpe'r unit the button to'betipped' in either d-irection byill'lfe aoti'o'n of said button-ing meni- 23. A b uttoni'ng irrachine having, in comtitration, beamin means mo able to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole ever opposite sides means for supporting-"the button by en ag merit With the button'pi'ece under the eye of the button in such manner as to permit the head (if the button to be moved laterally in either direction the ressure of said butf toei ngm ans, Y

' '24. A buttoni'ng machine having, in com bination, bi'ittoni'r'fg' means movable ineligageme'nt yv'ith a button'hole fly into position under the edges of the head of a button to r V dispose the material acen'tto abuttonholo' in buttoned relation to-the button, and means I for sr'ifppoiting the button by engagement With the button piece under the eye of the butt'onfin sueh manner as to permit the button to be lifted by the buttoning means.

25 A buttoning machine having, incom bination, buttonholel'fiy engaging means,

or means for positioning a button by pressure applied an the top of the buttonhead, mechaii isfii for relativel moving said buttonhole disease it in buttoned relation to adjacent to a buttonhole,

d material in,

7 tion under the of the Head of a button, and" pressure applied fly engaging means and button positioning means to perform a buttoning o erat1o11,and means for relievlng thepressure-0n the'button head before the buttom'ngoperation is completed.

26. A buttoning machine having, in com bination, buttoning, means movable in engagement with a button'hole fiyjto-d1spose the 'material adjacent to a buttoi'ihole in buttoned relation to a button-, means for positi oning the button by pressure applied on the button head, and means for relieving said pressure during the buttoning operation.

27. A buttoniiig'machlne having, in come 7 bihation, buttoning means movable to force the material ad acent to a buttonh'ole over the opposite sides of the head of a-button,

means for positioning the button by pressure applied on the top of the button head, and

means for relieving said pressure when the; V

the material of a buttonhole fly over the sides I of the button head and into buttoned posithe pressure on the head to be relieved when the material is forced over the head.

29. A buttoning machine having, in com bination, Wardly over the sides of the'hea'd of a button to; force themateri'al adjacent to a but ton'hole over the button head, means for fposi ti'onin'g the button by pressure applied on the top of the button head, and means for relieving said pressure to permit the button to be tipped by the pressure of said buttoning means at the sides of the head. e

A buttoning machine having, in ,comination', bu'ttoning means movable in enbuttoning means movable do n-.-'

head, and means for causing material in buttoned relation to the button,

means for positioning the button by pressure applied on the top of the button head,

and means for relieving said pressure to permitthe buttomng means to centralize the button and, to engage uniformly u'n'der opposite sides of the button head.

31. A buttoning machine having, in Combination, *buttoning means movable to force thematerial adjacent to a buttonhole over the head of a button and to dispose itun'de-r the button head in buttoned relation to the button, means for positioning the button by on the top of the button head, and means for relievingfsaiid pressure at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation. V. V

32. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable to force the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole over the sides of the head of a button and then movable under the head to dispose the material in buttoned relation to the button, means for positioning the button by pressure applied on the button head, and means for relieving said pressure when the buttoning means is positioned at the sides of the head and before it engages under the head.

A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable in engagement with a buttonhole fly into position under the head of a button to dispose the material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button, means for positioning the button by pressure applied on the top of the button head, and means for relieving said pressure to permit the button to be lifted by the buttoning means.

34. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means arranged to engage a buttonhole fly adjacent to a buttonhole, button positioning means arranged to clamp a button by pressure applied on the button head and under the eye of the button, mechanism for relatively moving said buttoning means and button positioning means to perform a buttoning operation, and means, for relieving the clamping pressure on the button to permit the button head to move laterally in the buttoning operation.

A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable to force the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole over the head of a button, means for clamping the button by engagement with the top of the button head and with the button piece under the eye of the button to position the button for the buttoning operation, and means for relieving the pressure of said clamping means on the button to permit the button to tip during the buttoning operation.

36. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable to force the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole over the head of a button and to dispose it under the edges of the button head, means For clamping the button by engagement with the top of the button head and with the button piece under the eye of the button to position the button for the buttoning operation, 'and means for relieving the clamping pressure on the button at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation.

37. A buttoning machine having, in combination, means for positioning a button by pressure applied on the top of the button head. buttoning means arranged to engage a liiuttonhole fly at opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism for moving said buttoning meansto force the material of the buttonhole fly partly over the head of the button while the button is thus held under pressure,

and means for relieving the pressure on the button head before the buttoning operation is completed.

88. A buttoning machine having, in combination, means for positioning a button by pressure applied on the top of the button head, means for relieving the pressure on the button head at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation, buttoning means arranged to engage a buttonhole tly at opposite sides of a buttonhole, and mechanism for operating said l,)uttoning means to force the material partly over the head of the button while the button is thus held under pressure and to dispose the material under the edges of the button head after the pressure is relieved.

39. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttoning means movable to force the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole over the head of a button, means for supporting the button beneath the button eye, means for applying pressure on the top of the button head to hold the button on said supporting means against lateral movement, and means for relieving the pressure on the button head at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation.

40. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger forengaging the head of a button on said support, means for applying pressure to said plunger to hold the button on the support against tipping movement, buttoning means movable to force the material adjacent to a but-- tonhole over the head of the button and to dispose it under the edges of the button head, and means for relieving the pressure on the head of the button when said'buttoning means has partially completed the buttoning operation.

41. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support, means for applying pressure to said plunger to hold the button on the support, buttoning means movable into position under the edges of the head of the button to dispose tbe material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button, and means for relieving the pressure on said plunger to permit the button to be lifted by said buttoning means.

42. A, buttoning machine having. in combination. a member arranged to engage in a buttonhole and to position a button by pressure applied on the button head, buttoning means movable to force the material at opposite sides oi the buttonhole over the button head, and means for relieving the pressure of said member on the button head at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation.

43. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a plunger arranged to engage in a buttonhole and to position a button by pressure applied on the button head, tuckers movable lengthwise of said plunger to force the material at opposite sides of the buttonhole over the button head and then under the edges of the button head to dispose the material in buttoned relation to the button, and means for relieving the pressure of said plunger on the button head at an intermediate stage in the buttoning operation.

4 f. A buttoning machine having, in combination, buttonhole fly engaging means, means for holding against tipping movement a button attached to a button piece, mechanism for relatively moving said means to perform a buttoning operation, and means for releasing the button to permit it to tip before the buttoning operation is completed. 45, A buttoning machine having, in combination, means for clamping against tipping mov-ement a button attached to a button piece, buttonhole fly engaging means, mechanism for relatively moving said means to perform a buttoning'operation, and means for relieving the pressure of the clamping means on the button before the buttoning operation is completed.

46. A buttoning machine having, in combination, button receiving means, buttonhole fly engaging means, mechanism for relatively moving said means in such manner as to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole partially over the head of a button While the button is positioned by said receiving means, means for Withdrawing said receiving means from receiving position, and means for completing the buttoning operation after the Withdrawal of said receiving means is initiated.

47. A buttoning machine having, in combination, button receiving means, buttonhole fly engaging means, mechanism for operating said buttonhole fly engaging means to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole partially over the head of a button While the button is positioned by said receiving means, means for withdrawing said receiving means from receiving position, and mechanism for operating the buttonhole fly engaging means to complete the buttoning operation after said receiving means is Withdrawn.

48. A buttoning machine having, in combination, button receiving means arranged to position a button When the Work is initially presented to the machine, means for ithdrawing said receiving means subsequently from receiving position, buttoning members arranged to engage the material at opposite sides of a buttonhole, and mechanism for operating said members in two stages to cause them to. force the material partially over the button head While the button is positioned by said receiving means and to tuck the material under the edges of the button head" after the receiving means is Withdrawn.

4 9. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a fork arranged to. receive a button attached to a button piece when the Work is initially presented to the machine, means for Withdrawing said fork subsequently from receiving position, buttoning means ar-' ranged to engage a buttonhole fly adjacent to a buttonhole, and mechanism for operating said buttoning means to cause it to force the material partially over the button head While the button is positioned in said fork and to complete the buttoning operation after the fork is Withdrawn.

50, A buttoning machine having, in combination, a fork arranged to receive a button attached to, a button piece when the Work isinitially presented to the machine, means for Withdrawing said fork subsequently from receiving position, tuckers arranged to engage a buttonhole fly at opposite sides of a buttonhole, and mechanism for operating said tuckers to cause them to force the material out to the sides of the button head While the button is positioned in said fork and to tuck the material under the button head after the fork is Withdrawn.

51 A buttoning machine having, in combination, button receiving means arranged to position a-button attached to a button piece When the Work is initially presented to the machine, means for Withdrawing said receiving means subsequently from receiving position, means for holding the button against lateral movement during the Withdrawal of said receiving means, means for performing a buttoning operation With respect to the button, and means for operating said holding means to, release the button before the buttoning operation is completed.

52. A buttoning machine having, in combination. button receiving means, means "for elampinga button in said receiving means by pressure applied on the top of the head and under the eye of the button, means for Withdrawing the receiving means from receiving position While the button is thus clamped, buttonhole fly engaging means, mechanism for effecting relative movement of saidclamping means and buttonhole fly engaging means to perform a buttoning operation, and means for relieving the clamping pressure on the button before the butover the head of the button while the button is in the receiving means, means for with-T drawing said receiving means from receiv-" ing position, means for relieving the pres-' sure of the clamping means on the buttoif after said receiving means is withdrawn, and

means for causing the buttonhole fly engag-fi ing means to complete the buttoning oper ation after said pressure is relieved. 1

54. A buttoning machine having, in cone: bination, button receiving means arranged to receive a button attached to a button piece when the work is initially presented to the machine, means for engaging a buttonhole fly at opposite sides of a buttonhole, mechanism for operating said buttonhole fly engaging means to position said means at the opposite sides of the head of the button while the button is in said receiving means to assist in holding the button upright, means for withdrawing the receiving means from the button while the buttonhole tly engaging means is thus positioned. and means for causing the buttonhole liy engaging means to complete the buttoning operation after said receiving means is withdrawn.

A buttoning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support to clamp the button, a holder n wh ch said plunger is mounted with provision tor relative movement between the plunger and the holder in directions lengthwise of the plunger, means for operating the plunger to cause it to apply clamping pressure to the button, means for performing a buttoning operation with respect to said button, and means for causing said plunger operating means to release the pressure on the button before the buttoning operation is completed.

56. A buttoning machine having, in combination a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support to clamp the button, a holder in wlnch said plunger is mounted with provision for relative movement between the plunger and the holder in directions lengthwise of the plunger, means for operating the plunger to cause it to apply clamping pressure to the button, buttonhole fly engaging means carried by said holder, means for moving the holder relatively to the plunger to cause said buttonhole fly engaging means partially to complete a buttoning operation while the button is clamped, means for causing the plunger operating means to relieve the pressure on the button, and means for ormratiug the holder to complete the buttoning operation after said pressure is relieved.

57. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support to clamp the button, a holder n wlnch said plunger is mounted with provision for 7 relative movement between the plunger and the holder in directions lengthwise of the plunger, means for operating the plunger to cause it to apply clamping pressure to the button, buttoning members carried by said holder at opposite sides of the plunger for engagement with a buttonhole fly at the opposite sides 01 a buttonhole, means for :moving the holder relatively to the plunger to carry said buttoning members to positions substantially at the opposite sides of the head of the button while the button is clamped, means for causing the plunger operating means to relieve the pressure on the button while said members are thus positioned, and means for operating the holder to cause said members to tuck the material under the head of the button after said pressure is relieved.

58. A but-toning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support to clamp the button, a holder in which said plunger is mounted with provision for relative movement between the plunger and the holder in directions lengtlnvise of the plunger, means at the outer end of the plunger for operating the plunger, means for moving the holder and the plunger operating means together to cause the plunger to apply clamping pressure to the button, but toning means carried by the holder, means for moving the holder relatively to the plunger to cause said buttoning means partially to complete a buttoning operation while the button is clamped, means for moving the plunger operating means away from the end of the plunger to relieve the pressure on the button, and means for operating the holder to complete the buttoning operation after said pressure is relieved.

59. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a button support, a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support to clamp the button, a holder in which said plunger is mounted with provision for relative movement between the plunger and the holder in directions lengthwise of the plunger, plunger operating means mounted for movement with said holder and arranged to be positioned at the outer end of the plunger, a spring connection between the plunger operating means and the holder tending to maintain the plunger yielding in a normal port, plunger operating means arranged to be posltloned at the outer end of the plunger,

7 and spring means 'connectedto said plunger Operating means to cause the plunger to press yieldingly upon the button.

. 61. In a buttoning machine, the combination with a button support, of a plunger for engaging the head of a button onsaid vsupport, a holder in which said plunger is mounted. with provision for relative movement of the plunger and the holder in, directions lengthwise of the plunger, means for moving the holder to carry the plunger into engagement with a button, plunger operating means mounted for movement with the holder and arranged to be positioned at the outer endof the plunger, and a spring connection between the plunger operating means and the holder for determining a normal position of the plunger relatively to the holder. I

62. In a buttoning machine, the combination with a button support, of a plunger for engaging the head of a button on said support, plunger operating means arranged to be positioned over the outer'end of the bearing member plunger, and a yieldable means and the between said operating plunger.

'63. In'a buttoning'machine, the combination with means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of the buttons, and unitary means arranged to extend "over the ends of said plungers for operating the plungers.

64. In a buttoning machine, the com-bination with means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of-the buttons, a member arranged to extend over the ends 'of said plungers, and spring means for operating said member to cause the plungers to press yie-ldingly on the buttons.

65. In a buttoning machine, the combination w'ith means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of said buttons, a member for operating said plungers in unison, and mechanism for operating said member to relieve the pressure on the buttons before the *buttoning operation is completed. 7

66. In a buttoning machine, the-combina- I ition with means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of s'aid'buttons, a member arranged to extend over the ends of said plungers, sprin'gmeans connected to said member to pau e the plungers to press 'yieldingly on the buttons, and means for operating said member to relieve the pressure on the buttons. w v A V "'67. In a buttoningmachine, the combination with means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of said buttons, means arranged to extend over the ends of said plungers to hold them in engagement with the buttons and a yieldable bearing member between and each of said said holding means plungers.

68. In a buttoning machine, the combination with means for supporting a plurality of buttons, of plungers for engaging the heads of said buttons, a member arranged to extend over the ends of said plungers to hold them in engagement with the buttons, and a spring held pin forming a yielding connection between said member and each plunger. V

69. A buttoning machine having, in combination, means for supporting a plurality of buttons, plungers for engaging the heads 'of said buttons, a support for said plungers,

a member carried by said support and arranged to extend over the ends of the plungers, means for moving said support and member to cause the plungers to press upon the buttons, means for performing buttoning operations with respect to said buttons, and means for moving said member relatively "to the support to relieve the pressure of the plungers 'on "the buttons before the buttoning operations are completed.

70. In a buttoning machine, a button positionmg member havmg an opening therein to receive a button, and means for forcing the material adjacent to a 'buttonhole over the head of button while the button is positioned in said opening, said member 7 to force the buttonhole fly over the head of a button on said support and to assume positions substantially at the'sides of the button head, said support having an upstanding projection ad]acent to its opening to raise the head of thebutton above Portions of the support which extend beyond the sides of the button head.

7 2. In a buttoning=machine, a "button positioning fork having a relatively narrow upstanding button engaging portion extending along its button receiving opening.

73. In a buttoning machine, a button receiving fork 2 having-an up'standingflprojeo tion 200 thereon "for positioning a button.

74. In a buttoning machine, button [positioning means having an opening to receive a button, means for retaining the button in said opening, and mechanism for operating said retaining means to facilitate the release of the button.

7 5. In a buttoning machine, button positioning means having an opening to receive a button, yielding means for retaining the button in said opening, and means for varying the tension of said yieldiiigmeans in time relation to the operative movements of the machine to facilitate the release of the button.

70. In a buttoning machine, button positioning means having an opening to receive a button, means for retaining the button in said opening, means for performing a buttoning operation with respect to the button, means for withdrawing said positioning means from the button, and mechanism for operating said retaining means to facilitate the release of the button.

77. In a buttoning machine, a button positioning fork, a member for retaining a button in said fork, a spring for holding said member in retaining position, and means operated in time relation to the operative movements of the machine for varying the tension of said spring. 7

78. In a buttoning machine, a button positioning fork, a member for retaining a button in said fork, a spring for holding said member in retaining position, means for performing a buttoning operation with respect to the button, means for withdrawing the fork from the button, and means operated in time relation to the operative movements of the machine for decreasing the tension of said spring to facilitate the release of the button.

79. In a buttoning machine, a button positioning fork, a member for retaining a but-- ton in said fork, a spring for holding said member in retaining position, means for subjecting said spring to a relatively in creased tension when the parts of the machine are in Work receiving position, and means for decreasing the tension of said spring after the machine is started.

80. In a buttoning machine, the combination with means for performing a buttoning operation, of means for discharging the Work from the machine by engagement with the button head after the buttoning operation is performed.

81. In a buttoning machine, buttoning means arranged to extend over opposite sides of the head of a button and under the head to dispose the material of the buttonhole fly in buttoned position, and means for engaging the button in said buttoning means and forcing the button out of said. means after the buttoning operation is performed.

82. In a buttoning machine, a member for engaging the top of the head of a button, means operative at the opposite sides of the button to dispose the material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button, and means for rendering said member operative to discharge the work from the machine aft er the buttoning operation is performed.

83. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a plunger for engaging the top of the head of a button, means for causing said plunger to apply pressure to the button head to position the button, buttoning means arranged to dispose the material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button, means for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the button head before the buttoning operation is completed, and means for rendering said plunger etl'ective to force the button out of said buttoning means after the buttoning operation.

8 A buttoning machine having, in combination, a plunger for engaging the top of the head of a button, operating means for holding said plunger upon the button, buttoning means, mechanism for operating said buttoning means to force the material adjacent to a buttonhole over the head of the button, means for withdrawing said plunger o1.)erating means from the plunger before the buttoning operation is completed, and means for rendering said plunger operating means ett'ective after the buttoning operation to force the button out of the buttoning means.

85. A buttoning machine having, in combination, a plunger for engaging the top of the head of a button, an operating member extending over the outer end of the plunger for holding the plunger upon the button, buttoning means arranged to extend over opposite sides of the button head to dispose the material adjacent to a buttonhole in buttoned relation to the button, means for withdrawing said operating member from the plunger before the buttoning operation is completed, and means for rendering said member effective to cause the plunger to force the button out of the buttoning means after the buttoning operation.

86. A buttoning machine having, in com bination, a plunger for engaging the head of a button, a holder in which said plunger is mounted with provision for relative movement of the plunger and the holder in directions lengthwise of the plunger, a member arranged to extend over the outer end of the plunger to hold the plunger on the button, buttoning means on the holder, mechanism for moving the holder relatively to the plunger to cause said buttoning meansto force the material adjacent to a buttonhole over the head of the button, means for moving said member away from the end of the plunger, means for limiting said movement of the member, and means for moving the holder in a direction to cause the plunger to be operated by said member to force the button out of the buttoning means.

87. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating instrumentalities for operating performing operations in spaced locations on a piece of work, and power operated means for increasing or decreasing the spaces between the operative locations of said instrumentalities.

'88. Ina machine of the class described, a plurality of operating instrumentalities for performing operations in spaced locations on a piece of work, and power operated means comprising a friction clutch for varying the spacing of said instrumentalities.

89. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating instrumenta'lities for performing operations in spaced locations on a piece of work, power operated means comprising a friction clutch for increasing or decreasing the spaces between the operative locations of said instrumentalities, and manual means for controlling the operation of said clutch.

90. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating instrumentalities for performing operations in spaced locations on apiece of work, an operating member con nected to said instrumentalities for adjusting them in differently spaced relations, oppositely driven power elements, a member manually movable into position to be driven by either of said elements, and a connection between said driven member and said operating member for adjusting said instrumen- 'talities.

91. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating instrumentalities for performing operations in spaced locations on a piece of Work, an operating member connected to said instrumentalities for adjusting them in differently spaced relations, manually controlled power driven means for said member, and means for limiting the operative movement of said member.

92. In a machine of the class desoribed a plurality of operating instrumentalities for performing operations in spaced locations on a piece of work, an operating member connected to said inst-rumentalities for adjusting them in differently spaced relations, a rotatable crank member to whlch said oper- Gopies o f'thispatefit' may be obtained for'five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of :Patents.

comprising a stud crank member,

, sets.

ating member is connected, power driven means for operating said crank member to operating member is connected, power means friction clutch for operating and means for limiting the operative movement of said crank member.

94. Ina buttoning machine, a plurality of sets of cooperating instrumentalities for performing buttoning operations with respect to a plurality of buttons, said sets of instrumental'ities being. adjustable to con form to differences in spacing of the buttons, and power driven means for adjusting said sets.

95. Ina buttoning machine, a plurality of sets of cooperating instrumentalities for performing buttoning operations with respect to a plurality of buttons, said sets of instrumentalitiesbeing adjustable to conform to differences in spacing of the buttons, and power driven means comprising a manually controlled friction clutch for adjusting said 96. In a buttoning machine, a plurality of sets of cooperating instrumentalities for performing buttoning operations with respect to a plurality of' buttons, said-sets of instrumentalities being adjustable to conform to differences in spacing of the buttons, power driven means for adjusting said sets to increase or decreasethe spaces between them, and treadle means for controlling the operation of said power driven'means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HERBERT "ENsLIN.

Washington, D. 0; 

